Why are there so many geese in Krakow? What is up with everyone buying and selling stuffed geese toys in Krakow? Is the city known for a famous goose?! The short answer- no. Sure, Krakow has pigeons, and Dzok the most loyal dog to live, and of course Smok the dragon, but this time the…
Tag: travel
Public Transportation in Krakow: Using Trams, Busses, and Route Planner Jakdojade
So you’re coming to Krakow and you have no idea how you’re going to get around. While the Old Town and Jewish District are fairly walkable, there are a lot of valuable things to do just outside the city center that you may need a bus or tram for. Or hey, maybe you don’t want…
Fika in Krakow: Swedish Treats
Kanelbulle, Semla, Coffee, oh my! Have you heard of Fika? To say it is simply a coffee break would be to insult every Swede that has negotiated 4 fikas into their workday (seriously look it up, they demand these things). To say it is just grabbing coffee with friends would be to downplay the importance…
Wyspia By Kinga Nowak: A Temporary Exhibit
Visiting Wyspia on the Wawel Castle Courtyards Questions? Email us at emilysguidetokrakow@gmail.com or DM us at @emilys.guide.to.krakow on Instagram or TikTok If you’re walking through the outer courtyard of Wawel Castle, you may notice a bright spot among the cold, mostly gray, winter skyline. Kinga Nowak‘s newest piece “Wyspia” adds an immense amount of whimsy…
140 Things to do in Krakow Poland
This list is outdated. Please research each point a bit further to make sure it still exists. We are working on a new list now. 140 Things to do in Krakow Krakow, or as the British like to call it Cracow, is an amazing city, and there is so much to do here. I’ve taken a lot…
12 Things to Put on Your Krakow Christmas Market List this Year
The Christmas market in the Rynek Główny is set up for the whole of the Christmas season in Krakow and it’s a wonderful place to pick up Christmas gifts, souvenirs and to try some amazing Polish food and drinks! The video above shows you a selection of things to be had at the annual holiday market! Open…
Krakow at Christmas: 73rd Annual Szopki Competition
While we wrote this for the competition in 2017- the National Museum is still holding it’s annual szopki competition each year. The only difference is they now display many of the szopka for over a month before and after Christmas. Check their website each year for the updated program. Every year on the first Thursday…
Polish Traditions: Christmas Time
If you will be in Krakow during or around Christmas time you are in for a real treat. Not only will the Main Market Square be filled with a bustling Christmas Market, complete with Polish Market Food, homemade goodies, and crafts, but the city will also have events for you to enjoy as well! See…
12 Days of Christmas in Krakow
Unfortunately- many of our videos for this were created in 2017 using Vine (RIP) so that is why they do not play properly…. Follow us the next twelve days as we take you all over the city of Krakow to show you what Christmas in Krakow is really like! Each day we will post a…
8 Tips for Cheap Eats in Krakow
1. Obwarzanki are your friends Obwarzanek are the Krakowian bagel. You can get them on virtually every street corner. And while local Poles will have a favorite stand, we think they are good just about anywhere. They cost less than a dollar and have toppings like poppy seeds, cheese, salt, or sesame seeds. They make…
Day Trippin: Top 10 Things to do in Zakopane, Poland
We have so many posts about Zakopane right now, we’re thinking about starting an Emily’s Guide dedicated just to the mountain town. But for now we bring you our list of the best things to do in Zakopane. Use this list to build the perfect itinerary. If you’re doing a one-day trip from Krakow you…
A Tour Of Krakow’s Main Square
For a great introduction to the old town- go on a walking tour with Krakow explorers! they have donation based- pay as you wish tours- twice per day! The main square of Krakow is one of the most visited sights of the city, and for good reason. The Rynek Główny, as it is called in…
The Royal Snack Route: A snack-crawl through Krakow!
This article is out of date, and some of the items are no longer available at the same locations- so please use this as inspiration for food to look for, but it can no longer provide a step by step tour with food through the Old Town. Most are pleasantly surprised by the food…
Welcome to Krakow and About Us
Krakow is one of my favorite cities in the world for many reasons, and is an amazing place for travelers to visit and ex-pats to live. It is still slightly undiscovered if you compare it to other popular tourist destinations, such as Prague or Paris. It’s very cheap for anyone traveling with a stong currency, like…
The Typical Tourist Checklist: Things to do in Krakow
Things to do in Krakow: This is a list of sites that are on most tourists’ lists! Browse around and click on the links to learn more about each one. Or for our complete list of everything you can do in Krakow visit our Ultimate List of 120+ Things to Do in Krakow! …
Off the Beaten Path: Unique Experiences
Unique Experiences in Krakow If you have had your fill of European cities, and are looking for something that sets Krakow apart from the rest, then look no further than this list. From exciting flea markets to amazing picnicing spots this list has it all, and consider them mostly local spots. For our Ultimate List…
The Vistula River
The bank of the Vistula River is perfect for picnicking, while the river itself provides a space for boats to dock, and a beer to be had upon the water. Bike paths also run along the banks in several directions, enjoyable no matter which way you go. Many people use these bike paths to get…
Food Truck Square
Food Truck Square is located at: Skwer Judah, Świętego Wawrzyńca 16, 33-332 Kraków I just read today that Krakow was named in Travel and Leisure’s yearly CNN sponsored list for the best cities in the world to go to. How exciting! So what is something new here in Krakow that people are enjoying? You may not…
Have a car? Head to the beach! Sosina Lake.
This article is intended for people who have moved to Krakow or are spending ALOT of time here. This is more of a day trip- and as I write below would be a smart addition to a morning spent at Ojcow National Park. If you are only here as a tourist, and want to swim,…
Zakrzowek: Enter if you Dare (but really it’s fine)
Zakrzowek: Former Limestone Quarry Turned Lake This is my absolute favorite place to swim in the summer, but you must understand that as of 2023, this is a more dynamic situation. The city has expanded zakrzowek to include completely regulated areas that feature some really nice pools. The pools use the same water as the…
Zalew Bagry: The Lakes of Krakow
Updated photos of The Bagry Lake from June 2023 Relax Lakeside in Krakow The Bagry (Zalew Bagry) is somewhere I had always wanted to go. My students always talked about it, but it was hard to imagine. Really? You can wakeboard in Krakow?! And also windsurf, or swim, or kayak, or take a mini-yacht? I thought…
What to Eat, Where to Eat It, and Where and What to Drink With It
What to Eat in Poland This is our must eat list for Krakow, and covers the basics of Polish cuisine. Most items are easy and cheap to buy at a grocery store and cook at home, but will taste much better from a recommended restaurant. And only buy Zapiekanki from the Plac Nowy in Kazimierz….
Outside the City Limits and Day Trips from Krakow
Want to head out of town for the day? Check out these awesome locations, mostly reachable by bus or train, some easier to get to by car, they will show you another side of Poland, much different from Krakow. (Although I consider Aushcwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines to be day trips, I have included…
Festivals, Traditions, and Holidays
The best way to find out what is going on in Krakow during your stay is to check in with the Krakow Festival Bureau or grab a copy of the Karnet magazine. (For those of you with an Instagram or Facebook, I suggest following the accounts for both those offices, among others, to get a feel…
The Synagogues of Kazimierz
Throughout the Jewish district of Kazimierz you will find seven synagogue, each one having its own charm, with some giving Classical Music or Film concerts, and others displaying exhibits of interesting history. Three synagogues still offer active services to the community, Tempel at 24 Miodowa street, Remuh at 40 Szeroka street, and Kupa Synagogue at…
St. Francis Basilica: My Favorite Church to Visit
Even if you are going through Europe and have had your fill of European churches, because I know I have, St. Francis is a breath of fresh air. Its vibrantly colored walls cannot be done justice by my camera, and so I invite you to go see it for yourself. And if you are a…
Kazimierz: The Old and New Jewish Cemeteries
In the Jewish District of Krakow, Kazimierz, you can find many synagogues and Jewish cemeteries. The cemeteries are striking examples of the destruction the Nazis caused in these areas, and how the destruction had been repaired since. During the Holocaust, gravestones were broken and destroyed, taken to be used as stones for pathways or just…
Main Attraction: Grodzka Street and the Royal Way
Off of the Main Market Square you will find Ulica Grodzka (Grodzka Street), which if you follow it, will lead you to Wawel Castle. The entire Royal Way can be followed from the Kleparz district, down Florianska Street, into the Main Market Square, and the last leg completed by walking down Grodzka Street, which opens up…
Say Hello to the Hejnał
Every hour on the hour, keep your ears open for the Hejnał playing his trumpet from the top of St. Mary’s Church Tower. Legend has it that during a Mongol Invasion in the 1200’s, the Hejnał began playing his trumpet to warn the city, and was shot in the heart. Today if you listen closely,…
Shots and Snacks: Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa
Note: The prices listed here are from almost a decade ago! so expect about double what you see here- the good news though, is that they’ve also expanded their offerings a lot too! Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa has locations all over the city, in the Jewish district on the Plac Nowy, on Florianska Street, and…
Polish Traditions: Easter Basket and Eggs
If you’re lucky enough to be in Poland for Easter, we suggest joining in some of the traditions, whether you are Catholic or not. Two very unique traditions are the dying of Easter eggs and the blessing of Easter baskets. Go to a local farmer’s market to find all the supplies you will need to…
The Small Square: Mały Rynek
Just behind St. Mary’s Church in the Main Market Square, sits a smaller square, the Mały Rynek. Here you will often find small festivals during the high tourist season, and on days without festivals you will be able to experience a much quieter square compared to the Main Market. With unique charm and colors, it is…
Best Eats: Gospada Koko
Out of all the restaurants that we can recommend in Krakow, Koko is by far the one we actually visit the most. Anytime someone comes to visit, we take them here. Anytime we have to be in the Main Square for an event, we stop by for a beer and some pierogi. It is full…
The Mounds of Krakow
There are four mounds (kopiec) around the city, each with its own unique story. Some are said to have royalty buried below them, while others are made of soil carried by citizens from prominent battlegrounds. No matter the legend, they provide breathtaking views of the entire city, each from a different view point, and some…
Flea Markets in Krakow
The best flea markets only happen on certain days, and usually that’s Sunday. But you’ll find lots of vintage stores in Kazimierz, as well as a charity shop, and some stalls selling antique items on Plac Nowy everyday- so if you can’t be here on a Sunday- you could look into visiting those instead. But…
Farmers Markets in Krakow: Covered Markets and Produce Stands
There are a few European style covered markets in the city; our current favorite is Stary Kleparz, mostly because there is an awesome coffee shop we grab a drink from before we go shopping. Some are closer to the tourist attractions, and some more larger ones are closer to the residential neighborhoods. @emilysguidetokrakow Stary Kleparz is…